A toon fan who killed his best friend with a single punch just hours after they had hugged to celebrate an Alan Shearer goal has been spared jail.

Judge David Hodson said Kevin King had devastated the life of victim David Lilley's family.

But he said he was satisfied there were "exceptional circumstances" which meant he could suspend a 12-month jail term for two years.

King and 36-year-old Mr Lilley had embraced when they saw Shearer score a spectacular goal against Everton on TV last December. But in a local pub they started a petty drunken row, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

And when engineer Mr Lilley grabbed his pal's arm to stop him walking away, King elbowed him twice then punched him in the face.

Mr Lilley, of Thirlmere Crescent, Shiney Row, Washington, smashed his skull as he fell backwards to the road. The impact caused devastating brain damage. King unsuccessfully tried to revive his friend in the garden of his own home in Maple Terrace, Shiney Row. Mr Lilley was dead by the time paramedics reached him.